Remarks  on  A  "Reprint  of  the  Original 
Letters  from  Washington  to  Joseph  Reed 


E 

312. 74 
1852a 


tfc 


DUPLICATE 
"SOILD 


REMAKES 


REPRINT   OF    THE   ORIGINAL   LETTERS 


FROM 


THE    AMERICAN   REVOLUTION. 


REMARKS 


ON  A 


WASHINGTON   TO   JOSEPH   REED. 


REFERRED    TO 


IN  THE  PAMPHLETS  OF  LORD  MAHON  AND  MR.  SPARKS." 


BY  JARED    SPARKS. 
II 


BOSTON: 

LITTLE,    BROWN,    AND    COMPANY. 
1853. 


CAMBRIDGE: 

METCALF   AND    COMPANY,    PRINTERS   TO    THB   UNIVERSITY. 


REMARKS. 


So  much  has  already  been  written  concerning 
the  manner  in  which  certain  portions  of  "Wash- 
ington's "Writings "  were  edited,  that  perhaps  those, 
who  have  bestowed  attention  upon  the  subject,  may 
think  nothing  more  is  necessary  to  enable  them  to 
form  a  proper  judgment  of  the  case.  I  have  no 
disposition  to  protract  the  controversy  by  reviving 
discussions,  that  may  seem  to  have  been  exhausted. 
In  my  "  Reply  to  the  Strictures  of  Lord  Mahon  and 
Others,"  and  in  a  subsequent  "  Letter  to  Lord  Ma- 
hon," it  has  been  my  aim  to  state  facts  without  dis- 
guise, to  explain  the  principles  by  which  I  have 
been  guided,  and  to  vindicate  myself  from  errone- 
ous charges  and  injurious  suspicions,  without  cen- 
suring the  opinions  entertained  by  others  on  the 
general  points  at  issue,  or  attempting  to  establish 
my  own  by  arguments. 

The  task  of  an  editor  in  preparing  for  the  press 


confidential  letters,  which  the  writer  never  intended 
should  meet  the  public  eye,  is  delicate  and  difficult. 
I  felt  the  full  difficulty  of  this  task  in  regard  to  a 
few  of  Washington's  letters.  In  fact,  it  was  a  ques- 
tion of  serious  import,  and  requiring  much  delib- 
eration, whether  such  letters  should  be  published 
at  all.  I  had  no  doubt,  however,  at  the  time,  nor 
have  I  any  now,  that,  if  they  were  to  be  published, 
it  was  the  editor's  duty  to  revise  them  with  care, 
and  to  make  such  corrections  as  his  judgment  and 
feeling  of  responsibility  should  dictate.  That  this 
duty  was  performed  in  the  best  manner  it  could  have 
been  done,  I  shall  be  the  last  to  affirm.  Whether 
I  was  too  scrupulous  or  too  precise  in  some  in- 
stances, or  negligent  and  inconsiderate  in  others, 
may  safely  be  left  to  the  decision  of  those,  who  are 
willing  to  examine  with  calmness,  and  judge  with 
candor.  I  claim  only  to  have  been  actuated  by  dis- 
interested motives,  and  to  have  followed  my  unbi- 
assed convictions.  Moreover,  the  subject  in  its  de- 
tails is  one,  upon  which  almost  any  two  minds, 
viewing  it  under  different  aspects,  may  be  led  to 
form  conflicting  opinions. 

But  all  the  particulars  touching  this  point,  the 
rules  which  I  adopted,  and  the  reasons  for  them, 
are  so  largely  explained  in  the  introductory  parts 
of  the  work,  and  in  the  more  recent  discussions, 
that  I  shall  forbear  to  add  any  thing  further  on 
this  occasion. 


My  present  purpose  relates  to  a  different  topic. 
It  is  well  known  that  the  animadversions  of  the 
critics,  who  have  found  so  much  to  censure  in  my 
editorial  decisions,  have  been  directed  chiefly  to 
some  ten  or  twelve  private  letters  from  Washing- 
ton to  Joseph  Reed,  written  in  the  first  year  of  the 
war.  These  letters  were  strictly  confidential ;  no 
copy  of  any  of  them  was  retained  by  Washington; 
nor  did  he  preserve  the  answers.  In  "  Washing- 
ton's Writings"  these  letters  were  printed  from 
copies  of  the  originals,  which  latter  were  furnished 
to  me  by  their  possessor,  Mr.  William  B.  Reed, 
who  afterwards  printed  them  in  his  "  Life  of  Jo- 
seph Reed."  It  was  discovered  that  occasional  dis- 
crepances existed  between  the  two  printed  texts ; 
and  these  are  the  materials  which  have  afforded  so 
fruitful  a  theme  for  the  ingenious  and  severe  com- 
ments of  the  critics. 

Mr.  Reed  has  lately  reprinted  these  letters  in  a 
separate  volume,  placing  the  variations  side  by  side, 
in  parallel  columns.  In  pursuing  this  course,  as 
he  informs  the  reader,  he  has  been  "  actuated  by  a 
sense  of  duty  to  all  parties,"  and  a  desire  to  ren- 
der justice  to  Lord  Mahon,  to  himself,  and  to  me. 
If  an  act  of  injustice  had  been  committed,  however 
inadvertently  or  from  whatever  cause,  it  was  cer- 
tainly right  that  every  ground  of  complaint  on  this 
score  should  be  removed.  Alluding  to  his  former 


work,  Mr.  Reed  says,  "  I  printed  the  Washington 
letters  from  the  originals,  the  only  variations  being 
occasional  corrections  of  grammar  and  spelling,  and 
the  omission  of  one  or  two  sentences,  evidently  the 
result  of  oversight  on  my  part."  Yet  he  adds  in 
another  place,  "  At  the  time  of  their  publication 
I  had  no  doubt  that  it  was  my  duty  to  print  them 
exactly  as  they  were  written."  It  happened,  how- 
ever, as  indicated  by  himself  in  this  reprint,  that 
there  were  frequent  variations  from  the  originals  in 
his  printed  text,  occasioned  either  by  "  corrections 
of  grammar  and  spelling,"  or  by  accidental  mis- 
takes. 

The  remarkable  omission,  by  which  Lord  Ma- 
hon  and  other  writers  were  led  to  prefer  against 
me  the  heavy  and  unjust  charge  of  making  addi- 
tions to  Washington's  text,  was,  in  its  consequen- 
ces, the  most  important  of  these  mistakes.*  An- 
other, not  less  important  in  itself,  and  scarcely  less 
so  in  regard  to  the  animadversions  of  which  it  was 
the  cause,  remained  a  mystery  till  it  was  explained 
by  this  reprint.  Washington,  giving  a  reason  why 


*  Washington  had  written,  "  Is  it  possible  that  any  sensible  nation 
upon  earth  can  be  imposed  upon  by  such  a  cobweb  scheme,  or  gauze  cov- 
ering? "  And  it  thus  appeared  in  "  Washington's  Writings."  But  by 
some  accident  the  passage  in  italics  was  omitted  in  Mr.  Reed's  text ; 
and  hence  it  was  inferred  that  this  passage  had  been  "  manufactured  " 
by  me. 


he  had  been  prevented  from  showing  all  the  civil- 
ities he  desired  to  show  to  gentlemen  in  Massachu- 
setts while  his  head-quarters  were  at  Cambridge, 
adds,  as  printed  by  me,  "  If  this  has  given  rise  to 
the  jealousy,  I  can  only  say  that  I  am  sorry  for  it." 
In  Mr.  Reed's  text  it  was  printed,  "I  can  not  say 
that  I  am  sorry  for  it."  As  it  was  taken  for  grant- 
ed by  the  critics,  that  Mr.  Eeed's  text  was  right, 
and  mine  wrong,  they  urged  with  no  little  acrimo- 
ny, that  I  had  changed  the  language  and  perverted 
the  sense,  making  Washington  express  a  sentiment 
on  a  delicate  point  directly  opposite  to  the  one  he 
intended;  and  it  was  ominously  inferred,  that,  if  I 
would  take  such  a  liberty  in  one  case,  I  might  do 
the  same  anywhere  and  everywhere,  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  the  work.  It  turns  out,  how- 
ever, that  I  had  printed  the  words  correctly. 

These  mistakes  in  Mr.  Reed's  text  were  unques- 
tionably the  result  of  accident,  and  it  would  have 
been  kind  in  him,  if,  the  moment  he  saw  the  com- 
ments upon  them  in  the  public  journals,  he  had 
communicated  through  the  same  channels  a  few 
words  of  explanation,  especially  as  he  was  the  only 
person  who  had  the  means  of  doing  it,  and  as  the 
misapprehension  had  arisen  from  inadvertences  of 
his  own.  This  would  have  saved  Lord  Mahon  from 
the  error  of  making,  and  the  awkwardness  of  re- 
tracting, an  unfounded  charge ;  it  would  have  saved 


me  from  much  obloquy,  which  flowed  from  the  pens 
of  writers,  who  seemed  not  reluctant  to  seize  such 
an  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  their  critical  sa- 
gacity, and  for  expressing  their  indignant  astonish- 
ment; it  would  have  saved  the  public  from  misap- 
prehensions and  false  suspicions. 

Another  error  in  Mr.  Reed's  text,  now  first  cor- 
rected in  this  reprint,  likewise  exposed  me  to  cen- 
sure. Washington  had  written,  on  a  certain  occa- 
sion, that  he  did  not  consider  it  "  expedient  to  coun- 
termand the  raising  of  the  Connecticut  regiments  on 
account  of  the  pay,"  and  it  was  so  printed  by  me. 
In  Mr.  Reed's  work  the  word  Continental  appeared 
instead  of  Connecticut,  and  it  was  again  inferred 
that  I  had  deliberately  perverted  the  truth  of  his- 
tory by  assigning  to  the  Connecticut  troops  what 
was  intended  to  be  applied  to  those  of  the  Conti- 
nental army. 

Again,  few  themes,  of  so  little  significance,  have 
been  more  amply  discussed  than  the  phrase  "  Old 
Put,"  used  in  one  of  Washington's  letters.  It  here 
comes  forward  under  an  aspect  somewhat  new.  Mr. 
Reed  says,  "  It  is  printed  '  Old  Put '  in  my  book, 
as  a  quotation.  Hence  it  has  been  assumed  that 
Washington  so  used  it.  On  reference,  now,  how- 
ever, to  the  original,  I  find  it  written  without  the 
quotation  marks."  As  Mr.  Reed's  text  was  relied 
on,  the  assumption  of  its  accuracy  was  not  unnat- 


9 


ural.  It  happens,  however,  that  the  error  on  his 
part  is  of  very  little  moment  in  its  bearing  on  the 
question,  since  the  letter  to  which  Washington  was 
writing  an  answer  contained  the  phrase,  and  he 
evidently  adopted  it  from  that  source.  This  con- 
viction at  the  time  may  have  induced  Mr.  Reed  to 
add  the  quotation  marks,  or  they  may  have  crept 
in  by  some  accident. 

But  enough  has  heretofore  been  said  respecting 
the  letters  of  this  class ;  that  is,  the  letters  of  which 
Mr.  Reed  possesses  the  originals,  and  of  which 
Washington  retained  no  copies.  My  present  object 
is  mainly  to  notice  another  class  of  letters ;  those 
to  Joseph  Reed  printed  by  me  from  the  Letter- 
Books. 

Mr.  Reed  observes,  "  I  have  thought  it  best  to 
reprint  every  one  of  the  letters,  which  have  been 
selected  by  Mr  Sparks,  even  when  he  copied,  not 
from  the  originals,  but  from  the  Letter-Books,  in 
order  to  show,  as  a  mere  matter  of  literary  curi- 
osity, how  far  they  differ."  Here  Mr.  Reed  mis- 
takes in  saying  that  he  has  reprinted  "  every  one " 
of  the  letters  copied  by  me  from  the  Letter-Books. 
In  reality  he  has  taken  but  about  half  of  them. 
The  whole  number  derived  from  that  source  is  more 
than  twenty.  He  reprints  only  ten  as  having  been 
compared  with  the  copies  in  the  Letter-Books. 

His  method  is  to  divide  the  page  into  two  par- 
2 


10 


allel  columns,  printing  in  one  of  them  the  text  of 
the  original  letter,  and  placing  in  the  other  the 
variations  exhibited  by  the  same  letter  as  printed 
in  "Washington's  Writings."  "In  this  way,"  he 
says,  "  an  accurate  judgment  may  be  formed  of  the 
real  extent  of  the  alterations."  If  he  had  written 
variations  instead  of  alterations,  this  statement  would 
have  been  more  accurate,  but  even  then,  as  applied 
to  this  class  of  letters,  it  would  have  led  to  a  de- 
ceptive conclusion.  By  the  way  in  which  the  texts 
are  compared,  it  is  left  to  be  inferred  that  every 
change  from  the  originals  as  printed  by  Mr.  Reed 
has  been  made  by  me.  The  initial  of  my  name  is 
prefixed  to  each  separate  variation,  whether  con- 
sisting of  a  single  word  or  more.  As  the  matter 
stands,  no  reader  would  suspect  that  any  of  these 
variations  are  to  be  ascribed  to  the  differences  be- 
tween the  originals  and  the  copies  in  the  Letter-* 
Books,  from  which  the  text  in  "  Washington's  Writ- 
ings "  was  printed ;  or,  if  such  a  suspicion  should 
arise,  the  reader  would  have  no  means  of  deciding 
which  particular  variations  are  chargeable  to  the 
Letter-Books,  and  which  to  me. 

I  cannot  but  regard  this  mode  of  comparison, 
however  well  intended,  as  exhibiting  the  case  under 
a  deceptive  aspect,  and  as  placing  to  my  account 
numerous  alterations  for  which  I  am  in  no  degree 
responsible,  and  which  are  plainly  nothing  more 


11 


nor  less  than  discrepances  between  the  originals 
and  the  Letter-Books.  It  is  true,  in  the  instance 
of  a  single  letter  (December  12th,  1778),  Mr.  Reed 
says  in  a  note,  "  The  text  of  the  original  and  the 
Letter-Book  certainly  do  not  agree  literally";  but 
he  does  not  furnish  the  reader  with  any  guide  by 
which  the  disagreements  can  be  detected ;  and  each 
one  is  marked  by  the  initial  of  my  name,  although 
sixteen  in  that  particular  letter  are  chargeable  to 
the  Letter-Book,  and  not  to  any  editorial  discretion 
or  indiscretion  on  my  part. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  have  felt  it«  to  be  a 
duty,  not  as  "  a  matter  of  literary  curiosity,"  but  as 
an  act  of  justice  to  myself,  to  revise  this  branch  of 
the  subject,  and  endeavor  to  place  it  in  a  light  by 
which  the  facts  of  the  case  may  be  more  clearly 
perceived  and  understood.  I  have  accordingly  taken 
pains  to  procure  exact  transcripts  from  the  Letter- 
Books,  and  to  compare  them  with  Mr.  Reed's  re- 
print from  the  originals^  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining in  what  particulars  they  differ.  To  these  I 
propose  to  call  the  reader's  attention. 

Speaking  of  omissions,  Mr.  Reed  says,  "  The  only 
safe  rule  seems  to  be  that  which  was  adopted  by 
Chief  Justice  Marshall  long  ago.  I  have  before 
me  an  unpublished  letter  from  him  to  the  printer 
of  his  Life  of  Washington  in  1804,  in  answer  to 
an  urgent  request  for  the  suppression  of  a  passage 


12 


calculated  to  give  pain  to  living  persons.  The  re- 
quest was  assented  to,  but  explicit  direction  given 
to  mark  the  fact  that  a  passage  was  omitted." 

Whatever  direction  he  may  have  given  to  the 
printer,  as  to  this  particular  passage,  it  would  be 
difficult  to  find  a  mark  indicating  the  omission  ; 
and  still  more  difficult  to  prove,  that,  in  practice, 
he  adopted  any  such  rule  as  the  one  here  men- 
tioned. All  the  evidence  would  tend  to  establish 
the  contrary.  In  his  work  are  many  selections 
from  Washington's  letters,  some  of  them  of  con- 
siderable length,  and  in  the  midst  of  them  are  fre- 
quent omissions  of  paragraphs  and  sentences.  In 
no  instance,  it  is  believed,  can  any  mark  or  other 
indication  be  discovered,  which  intimates  an  omis- 
sion. I  shall  produce  a  few  examples  illustrative 
of  this  fact ;  and  also  a  few  others,  showing  the 
kind  of  editorial  revision  which  Judge  Marshall 
bestowed  upon  the  manuscript  selections  in  pre- 
paring them  for  the  press. 

In  the  first  place,  I  shall  present  the  parallel 
passages  in  which  discrepances  occur  between  Mr. 
Reed's  originals  and  the  same  letters  as  recorded 
in  the  Letter-Books.  It  is  here  to  be  observed, 
that  all  the  passages  from  the  Letter-Books  accord 
with  the  text  printed  by  me  in  "  Washington's 
Writings,"  except  the  variations  mentioned  in  the 
notes. 


13 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  ME.  REED.      TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

NOVEMBER  30th,  1776. 

Having  no  idea  of  its  being 
a  private  letter,  much  less 
suspecting  the  tendency  of 
the  correspondence,  I  opened 
it,  as  I  had  done  all  other 
letters  to  you  from  the  same 
place  and  Peekskill,  upon  the 
business  of  your  office  — 

—  sincerely  wish  that  your 
labors  may  be  crowned  with 
the  desired  success. 


Having  no  idea'of  its  being 
a  private  letter,  much  less 
suspecting  the  tendency  of 
the  correspondence,  I  opened 
it,  as  I  had  done  all  letters 
to  you  from  the  same  place 
and  Peck's  Hill,  upon  the 
business  of  your  office  — 

—  sincerely  wish  your  la- 
bors may  be  crowned  with  the 
desired  success.* 


There  is  another  considera- 
tion with  me.  Congress  per- 
haps at  this  instant  are  delib- 
erating on  an  answer  to  give 
the  Commissioners  to  an  ad- 
dress they  have  received  from 
them.  Should  a  letter  there- 
fore from  a  member,  (in  which 
light  you  will  be  considered*) 
hold  out  sentiments  different 
from  theirs,  an  unfavorable 
use  will  doubtless  be  made  of 
it. 


JUNE  15th,  1778. 

There  is  another  considera- 
tion which,  weighs  with  me. 
Congress,  at  this  instant  per- 
haps, are  deliberating  on  an 
answer  to  give  the  Commis- 
sioners to  the  address  which 
they  have  received  from  them. 
Should  your  letter,  therefore, 
(considered  as  coming  from  a 
member)  contain  sentiments 
repugnant  to  theirs,  an  unfa- 
vorable use,  more  than  prob- 
ably, will  be  made  of  it.f 


*  This  letter  Mr.  Reed  "  prints  from  the  Letter-Book."  In  two  short 
sentences  there  are  three  errors,  being  two  omissions,  and  a  wrong 
name  of  a  place,  which  latter  is  important  ;  thus  showing  the  diffi- 
culty of  securing  verbal  accuracy  in  printing  from  copies  of  manu- 
scripts, even  when  the  attention  is  directed  to  that  point  alone. 

f  The  above  is  an  exact  transcript  from  the  Letter-Book,  and  is  pre- 
cisely as  printed  by  me,  except  the  following  transposition.  The  words, 
"are  deliberating  on  an  answer  to  give  the  Commissioners  to  the  ad- 


14 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

NOVEMBER  27th  1778.* 


— for  he  was  instructed  to 
collect  — 

I  have  ordered  ah  inquiry 
into  his  conduct  on  this  occa- 
sion. 

—  the  infamous  practice  of 
forestalling,  and  the   engross- 
ing such  articles  — 

—  which  by  these  practices 
comes  to  it  thro1  the  hands  of 
these  people  — 

—  by    accumulating     the 
quantum   necessary  for   ordi- 
nary purposes  to  an  enormous 
sum  — 

—  we   are   not  to   expect 
that  the  path  will  be  strewed 
with  flowers  — 

As  my  letter  to  Congress 
of  this  date  has  carried  a  full 
account  of  the  cantonment  of 
the  troops,  and  other  matters 
of  public  concernment,  I  have 
no  need  to  repeat  them  to  you 
as  an  individual  member. 

—  the    committee    of    ar- 
rangement   will    perfect    the 


—  as  he  was  instructed  to 
collect  — 

I  have  ordered  an  inquiry 
into  his  conduct  on  that  occa- 
sion. 

—  the    infamous    practice 
of  forestalling  and  engrossing 
such  articles  — 

—  which    by    this    means 
come  to  it  through  the  hands 
of  these  people  — 

—  by    accumulating     the 
quantum  necessary   for    ordi- 
nary purposes  to  an  amazing 
sum  — 

—  we  are  not  to  expect  that 
the  path  is  to  be  strewed  with 
flowers  — 

As  my  letter  to  Congress 
of  this  date  has  given  a  full 
account  of  the  cantonment  of 
the  troops  and  other  matters 
of  public  concernment,  I  have 
no  need  to  repeat  it  to  you  as 
an  individual  member. 

—  the    committee    of    ar- 
rangement   will    perfect    the 


dress  which  they  have  received  from  them,"  are  printed  thus ;  "  are 
deliberating  on  an  answer*  to  the  address,  which  they  have  received 
from  the  Commissioners."  Mr.  Reed  says  this  letter  "  is  not  in  the 
Letter-Books";  but  in  this  he  is  mistaken.  It  may  be  found  there, 
recorded  in  its  appropriate  place. 

*  Here  again  Mr.  Reed  mistakes  in  saying  that  "  this  letter  is  not 
recorded  in  the  Letter-Books." 


15 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.  TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

good  Avork  they  begun  in  the  good  work  they  began  in  the 

summer  —  summer  — 

—  with  sincere  regard  and        —  with  sincere  esteem  and 

affection  —  affection  — 


What  did  or  could  prompt 
the  Knight  to  this  expedition 
is  beyond  the  reach  of  my  con- 
ception^ considering  the  un- 
seasonableness  of  it. 

—  not  conceiving   that  he 
could  miss  it  so  much  in  point 
of  intelligence  as  to  mistime 
matters  so  egregiously,  if  ei- 
ther of  the  other  two  was  his 
object  — 

—  could  not  help  being  un- 
easy lest  some  disaster  might 
befall  them  — 

—  posted  back  from  Eliza- 
bethtown   on  the   morning  of 
the  5th,  and  got  within  twelve 
or  fifteen  miles  of  King's  Fer- 
ry, when  I  was   met  by  an 
express  informing  me  that  the 
enemy   had    landed    at    that 
place,   set  fire  to  two  small 
log'd   houses,   destroyed  nine 
barrels    of   spoiled    herrings, 
and    had  set   sail  for  New 
York. 


DECEMBER  12th,  1778. 
What  did  or  could  prompt 
the  Knight  to  this  expedition, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  discover, 
considering  the  unseasonable- 
ness  of  it. 

—  not  conceiving   that  he 
could  be  so  much  out  in  point 
of  intelligence  as  to  mistime 
matters  so  egregiously,  if  ei- 
ther of  the  two  first  was  his 
object  — 

—  could  not  help  being  un- 
easy lest  disaster  might  hap- 
pen — 

—  posted  back  from  Eliza- 
bethtown  at  four  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  5th,  and 
got  within  twelve   or  fifteen 
miles  of  King's  Ferry,  when 
I  was  met  by  an  express  in- 
forming me   that   the  enemy 
had    landed    at    that    place, 
burned   two   or    three   logged 
houses   with    nine   barrels   of 
spoilt  herrings,  and  had  re- 
embarked  and  sailed  for  New 
York  again* 

r.  Reed  observes,  that   "  Mr. 

.1 , ,  i  t     ,  1 , .1 1 1  it     no    t  /  \    tin.    M  i  «j«  1 1  r-i  i  •  i'    lit 


*  In   connection  with  this  passage   Mr.  Reed  observes,  that   "  Mr. 
Sparks  in  his  first  pamphlet  expresses  some  doubt  as  to  the  accuracy  of 


16 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 


—  and  will  be  led  naturally 
to  conclude  that  bold  and  con- 
fident assertions,  uncontradict- 
ed,  must  be  founded  in  truth. 

—  but  however  convenient 
it  may  have  been  for  his  pur- 
pose   to    establish    this    doc- 
trine — 

—  I  will  defy  any  person 
out  of  my  own  family  to  say, 
that  I  have   ever  mentioned 
his  name  after  his  trial  com- 
menced, if  it  was  to  be  avoided ; 
and  when  it  was  not,  if  I  have 
not  studiously  declined  — 

—  as  I  never  entertained 
any  jealousy  of,  or  apprehen- 
sion from  him,  so  neither  did 
I  ever  do  more  than  common 
civility  — 

—  but  the   affairs  of  the 
army  requires  a  constant  at- 
tention and  presence,  and  cir- 
cumstanced as  matters  are  at 
this  juncture  — 

—  as  peace  and  retirement 
are  my  ultimate  aim,  and  the 


—  and  will  be  led  naturally 
to  believe  that  bold  and  con- 
fident assertions,  uncontradict- 
ed,  must  be  founded  in  truth. 

—  but  however  convenient 
it  may  have  been  for  his  pur- 
poses to  establish  this  belief  — 

—  I  will  defy  any  person 
out  of  my  own  family  to  say, 
that  I  have  ever  mentioned 
his   name,   if   it  was    to    be 
avoided ;  and,  when  not,  that 
I    have     not    studiously    de- 
clined — 

—  as  I  never  entertained 
any  jealousy  of,  or  apprehend- 
ed from  *  him,  so  neither  did 
I  ever  do  more  than  common 
civility  — 

—  but  the   affairs    of  the 
army  require  my  constant  at- 
tention and  presence,  and  cir- 
cumstanced as  matters  are  at 
this  time  — 

—  as  peace  and  retirement 
are  my  ultimate  aim,  and  the 


my  text."  I  did  not  intend  to  express  any  doubt.  I  said  only,  that 
"logged"  in  the  Letter-Book  was  written  "  log'd  "  in  his  manuscript. 
The  printers  dropped  the  last  syllable,  and  made  it  log  houses,  perhaps 
for  the  same  reason  that  they  print  brick  or  stone  houses,  instead  of 
bricked  or  stoned  houses. 

*  This  phrase  was  omitted  by  me,  doubtless  because  a  blunder  of 
the  transcriber  left  it  without  meaning  in  the  Letter-Book.  Mr.  Reed's 
copy  makes  the  sense  clear. 


17 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

most  pleasing   and   flattering 
"hope  of  my  soul  — 

—  will  reconcile  any  place 
and  all  circumstances  to  my 
feelings,  whilst  I  continue  in 
service. 

MARCH  28th,  1779." 

—  as  the  season  is  now  fast 
approaching  when  either   ne- 
gotiation or  vigorous  exertions 
must  take  place  of  inactivity  ; 
and  as  General  Clinton  doubt- 
less will,  in  the  latter  case  — 

—  the  sole  purpose  of  this 
letter  is  to  suggest  for  your 
consideration  — 

—  for  giving  an  alarm  to 
the  militia  of  the  country,  and 
for  fixing  on  places  of  ren- 
dezvous for  them,  that  in  cases 
of    sudden    emergency    they 
may    quickly    assemble,    free 
from  tumult  — 

—  the   preparations  for  it 
will  be  held  under  the  darkest 
veil  — 

MAT  8th,  1779. 

—  any  apprehensions  I  may  —  any  apprehensions  I  may 
entertain  on  this  delicate  sub-  entertain  on  this  delicate  sub- 
ject unfounded — happy  to  find  Ject  ill-founded — happy  to  find 
it  your  opinion  —  it  is  your  opinion  — 

*  Mr.  Reed  is  again  mistaken  when  he  says,  "  This  letter,  I  believe, 
is  not  in  the  Letter-Book." 

3 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED. 

most  pleasing   and    flattering 
wish  of  my  soul  — 

—  will  reconcile  any  place 
and  all  circumstances  to  my 
feelings,  whilst  I  remain  in 
service. 


—  as  the  season  is  now  ap- 
proaching when   either  nego- 
tiation  or  vigorous    exertions 
must   take  place  ;    and   Gen- 
eral Clinton  doubtless  will,  in 
the  latter  case  — 

—  the  sole  purpose  of  this 
letter  is   to    suggest  to  your 
consideration  — 

—  for  giving  an  alarm  to 
the  militia  of  the  country,  and 
for  fixing  places   of  rendez- 
vous for  them,  that  in  cases 
of   sudden    emergency    they 
may    be    quickly    assembled, 
free  from  tumult  — 

—  the  preparations  for  it 
will  be  hid  under  the  darkest 
veil  — 


18 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED. 

—  fixing  the  trial  at  that 
day  week  ;  you  will  be  pleased 
to  have  delivered  to  him  — 


—  carries  an  alloy  which  no 
temper  can  bear  with  perfect 
composure.  The  motives,  which 
actuate  this  gentleman  are  bet- 
ter understood  by  himself  than 
me. 

Whether  these,  or  motives 
yet  more  dark  and  hidden,  gov- 
ern him  — 

—  I   should  have  thought 
myself  a  proper  object  for  the 
lash,  not  only  of  his,  but  the 
pen  of  every  other  writer,  and 
a  fit  subject  of  public  resent- 
ment. 

—  but  little  better  than  a 
mere  chaos  — 

—  that  a  plain  narrative  of 
facts  — 

If  this  gentleman  is  envious 
of  my  station,  "and  conceives 
that  I  stand  in  his  way  — 

—  recruits  from  the  state 
of  Massachusetts  — 

—  Discouraging  as  all  this 
is  — 

—  Providence  having  so  of- 
ten taken  us  up  when  bereft 
of  other  hope  — 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

—  fixing   the  trial  at  that 
day  ;  which  you  will  be  pleased 
to   cause   to   be    delivered    to 
him  — 

JULY  29th,  1779. 

—  carries  an  alloy   which 
no  mind  can  bear  with  perfect 
composure.  The  motives,  which 
actuate  this  gentleman,  can  be 
better  accounted  for  by  himself 
than  me. 

Whether  these,  or  motives 
still  more  hidden  an$  dark, 
govern  him  — 

—  I   should  have   thought 
myself  a  proper  subject  for  the 
lash,  not  only  of  his,  but  the 
pen  of  every  other  writer,  and 
a  fit  object  for  public  resent- 
ment. 

—  but  little  more  than  a 
mere  chaos  — 

—  that  -a  plain  and  simple 
narrative  of  facts  — 

If  this  gentleman  is  envious 
of  my  station,  and  thinks  I 
stand  in  his  way  — 

—  recruits  from  the  state 
of  Massachusetts  Bay  — 

—  discouraging      as      this 
is  — 

—  Providence  having  so  of- 
ten taken  us  up  when  bereft 
of  every  other  hope  — 


19 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED. 

—  till  the  effect  of  the  pres- 
ent exertions  of  Cr.  B.,  this 
campaign,  is  known,  when, pos- 
sibly, a  new  scene  may  open. 


But  this  concern  received 
additional  poignancy  from  two 
considerations,  which  were  but 
little  known,  and  one  of  them 
never  will  be  known  to  the 
world,  because  I  shall  never 
attempt  to  palliate  my  own  foi- 
bles by  exposing  the  error  of 
another,  — 

The  other  was  a  Resolve 
of  Congress  in  the  emphatic 
words,  — 

When  I  came  to  Fort  Lee, 
and  found  no  measures  taken 
for  an  evacuation  — 

—  when  I  found  other  opin- 
ions coinciding  with  his  — 

—  I  conceived  that  every 
impediment     which    stood    in 
their  way  — 

—  when    thrown    into   the 
scale  of  those  opinions  — 

—  the  pen  of  a  malignant 
writer,  who  is  always  less  re- 
gardful of  facts  — 

—  where  concealment  of  a 
few  circumstances  will  answer 
Us  purpose,  or  where  a  small 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

—  till  the  effect  of  the  pres- 
ent exertions  of  Great  Britain, 
this  campaign,  is  known,  and 
some  new  scene  opened  to  our 
mew. 

AUGUST  22d,  1779. 

But  this  concern  received 
additional  poignancy  from  two 
considerations,  which  did  not 
appear;  one  of  which  never 
will  be  known  to  the  world, 
because  I  shall  never  palliate 
my  own  faults  by  exposing 
those  of  another,  — 

The  other  was  a  Besolve  of 
Congress,  in  the  strong  and 
emphatical  words  following,  — 

When  I  came  to  Fort  Lee, 
and  found  no  measures  taken 
towards  an  evacuation  — 

—  when  I  found  other  opin- 
ions so  coincident  with  his  — 

—  I  conceived  that  every 
impediment  that  stood  in  their 
way  — 

—  when    thrown    into   the 
scale  with  those  opinions  — 

—  the  pen  of  a  malignant 
writer,  who  is  less  regardful  of 
facts  — 

—  where  concealment  of  a 
few  circumstances  answers  his 
purposes,  or    where   a   small 


20 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 


transposition  of  them  will  give 
a  very  different  complexion  to 
the  same  transaction. 

—  but  abundant  reason  to 
confirm  me  in  it. 

—  our  money  would  have 
been  upon  a  very  different  es- 
tablishment in  point  of  credit 
to  what  it  is  at  this  day  — 

Such  men  as  compose  the 
bulk  of  an  army  are  in  a  dif- 
ferent train  of  thinking  and 
acting  to  what  they  were  in 
the  early  stages  of  the  war, 
and  nothing  is  now  left  for  it 
but  an  annual  and  systemati- 
cal mode  of  drafting,  — 

—  it  will  come  to  this,  for 
there  are  people  enow,  old  sol- 
diers — 

—  the   difference  will    be, 
that  instead  of  the   public's 
emitting  or  borrowing  money 
to  pay  their  bounties  (which  is 
enlarged   greatly   every   new 
enlistment),   these  sums  will 
be  paid  by  individuals  — 

—  raise  the  value  of  it  by 
multiplying  the  means  of  its 
use  — 

—  weakened  by  intestine  di- 
visions have  energy  enough  to 


transposition  of  them  will  give 
a  very  different  complexion  to 
the  same  thing. 

—  but  abundant  reason  to 
confirm  it. 

—  our  money  would  have 
been  upon  a  very  different  es- 
tablishment in  point  of  credit 
to*  what  it  now  is  — 

Such  men  as  compose  the 
bulk  of  an  army  are  in  a  dif- 
ferent train  of  thinking  to  * 
what  they  were  in  those  early 
stages  of  the  war,  and  nothing 
is  now  left  but  an  annual  and 
systematical  mode  of  draft- 
ing, — 

—  it  will  come  to  this,  for 
there  are  people  now,  old  sol- 
diers — 

—  the    difference   will    be, 
that  in   lieu  of   the   public's 
emitting  or  borrowing  money 
to  pay  the  bounties,  which  in- 
crease rapidly  every  new  en- 
listment, these  bounties  will  be 
paid  by  individuals  — 

—  raise  the  value  of  it  by 
multiplying  the  means  for  us- 
ing it  — 

—  weakened  by  internal  di- 
visions have  energy  enough  to 


*  In  these  places  to  was  printed  from,  probably  as  a  grammatical  cor- 
rection. 


21 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 


carry  statutes  of  this  nature 
into  execution  — 

—  it  cannot  in  my  opinion 
be  justified  upon  any  principle 
of  common  policy  — 

—  appears  substantial  jus- 
tice to  the  public,  and  each  in- 
dividual — 


—  to  what  they   esteemed 
their  rights  — 

—  influence  the  conduct  of 
by  far  the  greatest  part  — 

—  yet  the  ties  are  not  suf- 
ficiently strong  to  induce  their 
submission  — 

—  depreciation    of   money 
on  one  hand  — 

—  I  wish  you  to  be  con- 
vinced, that  I  do  not  want  in- 
clination   to    comply  where  I 
can  do  it  consistently  with  any 
of  your  wishes. 


—  different  from  that  which 
for  a  long  time  prevailed  — 


carry  statutes  of  this  kind  into 
execution  — 

—  it  cannot  in  my  opinion 
stand  justified  upon  any  prin- 
ciples of  common  policy  — 

—  appears   substantial  jus- 
tice to  the  public,  and  to  indi- 
viduals — 

OCTOBER  22d,  1779. 

—  to  what  they  esteem  their 
rights  — 

—  influence  the  conduct  of 
by  far  the  greater  part  — 

—  yet    the    ties   are   not  * 
strong  to  induce  their  submis- 
sion — 

—  depreciation  of  money  on 
the  one  hand  — 

—  I  wish  you  to  be  con- 
vinced, that  I  do  not  want  in- 
clination to  comply  with  your 
wishes  in  any  instance  that^ 
is  within  the  reach  of  my  pow- 
er consistently  to  aid  them. 

MAY  28th,  1780. 

—  different  from  that  which 
has  for  a  long  time  prevailed  — 


*  Here  was  evidently  an  omission  in  the  text  of  the  Letter-Book. 
To  complete  the  sense,  the  passage  was  printed  —  "  are  not  so  strong 
as  to  induce,"  —  a  sense  borne  out  by  the  original. 

f  The  word  that  was  piinted  when  it,  probably  by  design,  as  the  sen- 
tence in  its  present  construction  is  obscure,  and  scarcely  grammatical. 
That  this  was  perceived  by  Washington  himself  is  evident  from  the 
change  he  made  in  the  copy  which  he  sent  to  General  Reed,  as  here 
printed. 


22 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 


—  you  would  be  convinced 
that  these  expressions  are  not 
too  strong,  and  that  we  have 
almost  ceased  to  hope. 

—  in  such  a  state  of  insen- 
sibility to  its  interest,  that  I 
dare  not  flatter  myself  — 

—  from    every  account    I 
have  been  able  to  collect  will 
be  very  inconsiderable  — 

The  abilities  of  her  present 
financier  has  done  wonders. 

Commerce  and  industry  are 
the  best  means  of  a  nation. 

If  we  do  our  duty,  we  may 
even  hope  to  make  the  cam- 
paign decisive  on  this  conti- 
nent. 


When  any  great  object  is 
in  view,  the  popular  mind  is 
roused  into  expectation  and 
prepared  to  make  sacrifices 
both  of  ease  and  property ;  if 
those  to  whom  they  confide  the 
management  of  their  affairs  do 


—  you  would  be  convinced 
that  these  expressions  are  not 


every  thing  to  dread.    Indeed, 
I  have  almost  ceased  to  hope. 

—  in  such  a  state  of  insen- 
sibility to  its  interests,  that  I 
dare  not  flatter  myself  — 

—  from   every    account    I 
have  been  able  to  collect  will 
be  inconsiderable  — 

The  abilities  of  her  present 
financier  have  done  wonders. 

Commerce  and  industry  are 
the  best  mines  of  a  nation. 

If  we  do  our  duty,  we  may 
even  hope  to  make  the  cam- 
paign decisive  of  this  conti- 
nent* 

JULY  4th,  1780. 

When  any  great  object  is 
in  view,  the  popular  mind  is 
roused  into  expectation  and 
prepared  to  make  sacrifices 
both  of  ease  and  property  ;  if 
those  to  whom  the  f  confide  the 
management  of  their  affairs  do 


*  Printed,  "  decisive  of  this  contest,"  possibly  by  an  error  of  the  tran- 
scriber, but  probably  by  design,  as  the  phrase  "decisive  of"  does  not 
here  suit  the  word  "continent."  Mr.  Reed's  text  is  apparently  more 
correct. 

f  It  is  obvious  that  some  word  is  here  omitted  in  the  Letter-Book. 
The  vacancy  was  filled  by  "  people,"  which  the  sense  clearly  requires. 
"  They,"  in  the  other  text,  has  no  appropriate  antecedent. 


23 


TEXT  AS  PRINTED  BY  MR.  REED.       TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

not  call  them  to  make  these  not  call  them  to  make  these 

sacrifices  —  sacrifices  — 

I  am  of  a  very  different  sen-  I  am  of  very  different  senti- 

timent.  ment.* 

OCTOBER  18th,  1780.t 

That  overruling  Providence, 
which  has  so  often  and  so  re- 
markably interposed  in  our 
favor,  never  manifested  itself 
more  conspicuously  than  in  the 
timely  discovery  of  his  horrid 
design  of  surrendering  the  Post 
and  Garrison  of  West  Point 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

—  the     command     of    the 
Post  — 

—  for  which  he  was  appoint- 
ed, seem  to  have  made  — 


That  overruling  Providence 
which  has  so  often  and  so  re- 
markably interposed  in  our 
favor,  never  manifested  itself 
more  conspicuously  than  in  the 
timely  discovery  of  his  horrid 
intention  to  surrender  the  Post 
and  Garrison  of  West  Point 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

—  the    command    of    that 
Post  — 

—  for  which  he  was  appoint- 
ed, seems  to  have  made  — 


In  the  above  examples,  all  the  variations  from 
Mr.  Reed's  copy  exist  in  the  Letter-Books,  from 
which  the  text  in  "Washington's  Writings"  was 
printed;  and,  I  repeat,. they  agree  with  that  text 
except  in  the  instances  here  specified  in  the  notes. 
I  am  not  answerable,  therefore,  for  these  variations. 
On  the  contrary,  I  had  no  copy  to  follow  or  con- 
sult but  the  one  recorded  in  the  Letter-Books. 

There  are  a  few  other  variations,  and  for  these 

*  Printed  "  sentiments." 

f  Mr.  Reed  is  mistaken  in  supposing  that  this  letter  "  is  not  in  the 
Letter-Books." 


24 


I  am  willing  to  be  responsible,  because  they  were 
made  under  a  full  conviction  of  their  propriety  ; 
but  they  rarely  extend  beyond  a  single  word  or 
phrase,  and  are  for  the  most  part  grammatical  cor- 
rections ;  such  as  altering  the  singular  number  to 
the  plural,  or  the  contrary,  when  the  construction 
required  it,  the  insertion  of  a  particle  or  a  rela- 
tive pronoun,  the  change  of  one  preposition  for  an- 
other, or  of  an  adjective  to  an  adverb,  and  the  like. 
Special  care  was  also  taken  to  print  all  the  proper 
names  correctly,  however  they  may  have  been  writ- 
ten ;  and  this  was  not  so  easy  a  task  as  might  at 
first  be  imagined.  Nor  should  it  be  overlooked, 
that  the  variations,  whatever  may  have  been  their 
origin,  are  in  the  words,  and  not  in  the  substance. 
The  sense  of  the  writer,  as  to  any  point  he  is  aim- 
ing to  present,  is  clearly  the  same  in  the  different 
texts. 

As  Chief  Justice  Marshall's  testimony  has  been 
appealed  to,  with  reference  to  this  subject,  it  may 
not  be  out  of  place  here  to  add  a  few  examples 
illustrative  of  the  method  followed  by  him  in  edit- 
ing the  selections,  which  he  made  from  Washing- 
ton's letters.  Mr.  Reed  thinks  he  adopted  a  rule 
by  which  he  indicated  to  the  reader  the  omission 
of  a  passage,  whenever  it  happened,  by  some  mark. 
I  have  not  been  able  to  discover  any  indications 


25 

of  this  kind  in  his  "  Life  of  Washington,"  although 
omissions  frequently  occur.  The  following  selec- 
tions are  taken  at  random  from  various  parts  of  the 
work.  The  passages  in  italics  are  supplied  from 
the  Letter-Books,  and  they  were  omitted  by  him 
without  any  mark  denoting  the  fact.  I  believe  the 
same  will  be  found  true  in  all  other  cases,  so  that, 
if  he  had  any  rule  at  all,  it  must  have  been  not  to 
mark  the  places  where  passages  were  left  out. 


LETTER   TO    GENERAL    SCHUYLER. 

JULY  15th,  1777. 

"  The  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence 
is  an  event  of  chagrin  and  surprise,  not  apprehended  nor 
within  the  compass  of  my  reasoning.  I  know  not  upon  what 
principle  it  was  founded,  and  I  should  suppose  it  still  more 
difficult  to  reconcile,  if  the  garrison  amounted  to  five  thou- 
sand men,  in  high  spirits,  healthy,  well  supplied  with  pro- 
vision and  ammunition,  and  the  Eastern  militia  marching  to 
their  succor,  as  you  mention  in  your  letter  of  the  9th  to 
the  Council  of  Safety  of  New  York.  This  stroke  is  severe 
indeed,  and  has  distressed  us  much.  But,  notwithstanding 
things  at  present  wear  a  dark  and  gloomy  aspect,  I  hope  a 
spirited  opposition  will  check  the  progress  of  General  Bur- 
goyne's  arms,  and  that  the  confidence  derived  from  success 
will  hurry  him  into  measures,  that  will  in  their  consequences 
be  favorable  to  us.  We  should  never  despair.  Our  situa- 
tion has  before  been  unpromising,  and  has  changed  for  the 
better.  So,  I  trust,  it  will  again.  If  new  difficulties  arise, 
we  must  only  put  forth  new  exertions,  and  proportion  our 
efforts  to  the  exigency  of  the  times." — Vol.  III.  p.  254. 
4 


LETTER   TO    CONGRESS. 

AUGUST  20th,  1780. 

"  It  will  be  an  interesting  -winter.  Many  circumstances 
will  contribute  to  a  negotiation.  An  army  on  foot,  not  only 
for  another  campaign,  but  for  several  campaigns,  would  de- 
termine the  enemy  to  pacific  measures,  and  enable  us  to  in- 
sist upon  favorable  terms  in  forcible  language.  An  army 
insignificant  in  numbers,  dissatisfied,  crumbling  to  pieces, 
would  be  the  strongest  temptation  they  could  have  to  try 
the  experiment  a  little  longer.  It  is  an  old  maxim,  that  the 
surest  way  to  make  a  good  peace  is  to  be  well  prepared  for 
war. 

"  I  am  inclined  to  hope  a  draft  for  the  war,  or  for  three 
years,  would  succeed.  Many  incentives  of  immediate  interest 
may  be  held  up  to  the  people  to  induce  them  to  submit  to  it. 
They  must  begin  to  consider  the  repeated  bounties  they  are 
obliged  to  pay  as  a  burthen,  and  be  willing  to  get  rid  of 
it  by  sacrificing  a  little  more  once  for  all.  Indeed,  it  is  prob- 
able the  bounties  may  not  be  much  greater  in  that  case  than 
they  have  been.  The  people  of  the  States  near  the  seat  of 
war  ought  to  enter  into  such  a  plan  with  alacrity,  as  it 
would  ease  them  in  a  variety  of  respects  ;  among  others,  by 
obviating  the  frequent  calls  upon  the  militia. 

"  I  cannot  forbear  returning  in  this  place  to  the  necessity 
of  a  more  ample  and  equal  provision  for  the  army.  The  dis- 
contents on  this  head  have  been  gradually  matured  to  a  dan- 
gerous extremity.  There  are  many  symptoms  that  alarm  and 
distress  me.  Endeavors  are  using  to  unite  both  officers  and 
men  in  a  general  refusal  of  the  money,  and  some  corps  now 
actually  decline  receiving  it.  Every  method  has  been  taken 
to  counteract  it,  because  such  a  combination  in  the  army 
would  be  a  severe  blow  to  our  declining  currency.  The  most 
moderate  insist  that  the  accounts  of  depreciation  ought  to  be 
liquidated  at  stated  periods,  and  certificates  given  by  gov- 
ernment for  the  sums  due.  They  will  not  be  satisfied  with  a 
general  declaration  that  it  shall  be  made  good. 


27 


"  This  is  one  instance  of  complaint.  There  are  others 
equally  serious.  Among  the  most  serious  is  the  inequality  of 
the  provision  made  by  the  several  States.  Pennsylvania  main- 
tains her  officers  in  a  decent  manner ;  she  has  given  them 
half-pay  for  life.  What  a  wide  difference  between  their  sit- 
uation and  that  of  the  officers  of  every  other  line  in  this 
army,  some  of  whom  are  actually  so  destitute  of  clothing  as 
to  be  unfit  for  duty,  and  obliged  for  that  cause  only  to  con- 
fine themselves  to  quarters.  I  have  often  said,  and  I  beg 
leave  to  repeat  it,  the  half-pay  provision  is  in .  my  opinion  the 
most  politic  and  effectual  that  can  be  adopted.  On  the  whole, 
if  something  satisfactory  be  not  done,  the  army  (already  so 
much  reduced  in  officers  by  daily  resignations,  as  not  to  have 
a  sufficiency  to  do  the  common  duties  of  it)  must  either  cease 
to  exist  at  the  end  of  the  campaign,  or  it  will  exhibit  an  ex- 
ample of  more  virtue,  fortitude,  self-denial,  and  perseverance, 
than  has  perhaps  ever  yet  been  paralleled  in  the  history  of 
human  enthusiasm." — Vol.  IV.  p.  298. 


LETTER   TO   GENERAL  LINCOLN. 

OCTOBER  2d,  1782. 

"  I  repeat  it,  when  I  reflect  on  these  irritable  circumstan- 
ces, unattended  by  one  thing  to  soothe  their  feelings,  or 
brighten  the  gloorily  prospect,  I  cannot  avoid  apprehending 
that  a  train  of  evils  will  follow,  of  a  very  serious  and  dis- 
tressing nature.  On  the  other  hand,  could  the  officers  be 
placed  in  as  good  a  situation,  as  when  they  came  into  ser- 
vice, the  contention,  I  am  persuaded,  would  be,  not  who  should 
continue  in  the  field;  but  who  should  retire  to  private  life. 

"  I  wish  not  to  heighten  the  shades  of  the  picture  so  far  as 
the  real  life  would  justify  me  in  doing,  or  I  would  give  anec- 
dotes of  patriotism  and  distress  which  have  scarcely  ever  been 
paralleled,  never  surpassed  in  the  history  of  mankind.  But, 
you  may  rely  upon  it,  the  patience  and  long  sufferance  of 
this  army  are  almost  exhausted,  and  there  never  was  so  great 
a  spirit  of  discontent  as  at  this  instant."— Vol.  IV.  p.  580. 


28 


LETTER  TO  HENRY  LEE. 

SEPTEMBER  22,  1788. 

"  It  was  for  a  long  time  doubtful  whether  we  were  to  survive 
as  an  independent  republic,  or  decline  from  our  federal  dig- 
nity into  insignificant  and  wretched  fragments  of  empire.  The 
adoption  of  the  constitution  so  extensively,  and  with  so  lib- 
eral an  acquiescence  on  the  part  of  the  minorities  in  general, 
promised  the  former ;  but  lately,  the  circular  letter  of  New 
York  has  manifested,  in  my  apprehension,  an  unfavorable,  if 
not  an  insidious  tendency  to  a  contrary  policy.  I  still  hope  for 
the  best ;  but  before  you  mentioned  it,  I  could  not  help  fear- 
ing it  would  serve  as  a  standard  to  which  the  disaffected 
might  resort.  It  is  now  evidently  the  part  of  all  honest  men, 
who  are  friends  to  the  new  constitution,  to  endeavour  to  give 
it  a  chance  to  disclose  its  merits  and  defects  by  carrying  it 
fairly  into  effect,  in  the  first  instance.  For  it  is  to  be  appre- 
hended, that  by  an  attempt  to  obtain  amendments  before  the 
experiment  has  been  candidly  made,  '  more  is  meant  than  meets 
the  ear?  that  an  intention  is  concealed,  to  accomplish  slily, 
what  could  not  have  been  done  openly,  to  undo  all  that  has 
been  done.  If  the  fact  so  exists,  that  a  kind  of  combination  is 
forming  to  stifle  the  government  in  embryo,  it  is  a  happy  cir- 
cumstance that  the  design  has  become  suspected.  Preparations 
should  be  the  sure  attendant  upon  forewarning.  Probably, 
prudence,  wisdom,  and  patriotism  were  never  more  essentially 
necessary  than  .at  the  present  moment :  and  so  far  as  it  can 
be  done  in  an  irreproachably  direct  manner,  no  effort  ought  to 
be  left  unassayed  to  procure  the  election  of  the  best  possible 
characters  to  the  new  Congress.  On  their  harmony,  delibera- 
tion, and  decision  every  thing  will  depend.  I  heartily  wish  Mr. 
Madison  was  in  our  Assembly  ;  as  I  think,  with  you,  it  is  of 
unspeakable  importance  Virginia  should  set  out  in  her  federal 
measures  under  right  auspices. 

"  The  principal  topic  of  your  letter  is  to  me  a  point  of  great 
delicacy  indeed  ;  insomuch  that  I  can  scarcely,  without  some 
impropriety,  touch  upon  it.  In  the  first  place,  the  event  to 


29 


which  you  allude  may  never  happen,  among  other  reasons 
because,  if  the  partiality  of  my  fellow-citizens  conceive  it  to 
be  a  mean  by  which  the  sinews  of  the  new  government  would 
be  strengthened,  it  will  of  consequence  be  obnoxious  to  those 
who  are  in  opposition  to  it,  many  of  whom,  unquestionably, 
will  be  placed  among  the  electors."  —  Vol.  V.  p.  138. 


LETTER  TO   DAVID   STUART. 

NEW  YORK,  June  15,  1790. 

"  Before  the  custom  was  established,  which  now  accommo- 
dates foreign  characters,  strangers,  and  others  who  from  mo- 
tives of  curiosity,  respect  to  the  chief  magistrate,  or  any  other 
cause,  are  induced  to  call  upon  me,  I  was  unable  to  attend  to 
any  business  whatsoever.  For  gentlemen,  consulting  their  own 
convenience  rather  than  mine,  were  calling  from  the  time  I 
rose  from  breakfast,  often  before,  until  I  sat  down  to  dinner. 
This,  as  I  resolved  not  to  neglect  my  public  duties,  reduced 
me  to  the  choice  of  one  of  these  alternatives,  either  to  refuse 
them  altogether,  or  to  appropriate  a  time  for  the  reception  of 
them.  The  first  would,  I  well  knew,  be  disgusting  to  many ; 
the  latter,  I  expected,  would  undergo  animadversion  from 
those  who  would  find  fault  with  or  without  cause.  To  please 
every  body  was  impossible.  I  therefore  adopted  that  line  of 
conduct  which  combined  public  advantage  with  private  con- 
venience, and  which  in  my  judgment  was  unexceptionable  in 
itself.  That  I  have  not  been  able  to  make  bows  to  the  taste  of 

poor  Colonel  B (who,  by  the  by,  I  believe  never  saw  one  of 

them)  is  to  be  regretted,  especially  too  as,  upon  those  occasions, 
they  were  indiscriminately  bestowed,  and  the  best  I  was  master 
of.  Would  it  not  have  been  better  to  have  thrown  the  veil  of 
charity  over  them,  ascribing  their  stiffness  to  the  effects  of  age, 
or  to  the  unsTdlfulness  of  my  teacher,  than  to  pride  and  dig- 
nity of  office,  which  Crod  knows  has  no  charms  for  me  ?  For  I 
can  truly  say,  I  had  rather  be  at  Mount  Vernon  with  a  friend 
or  two  about  me,  than  to  be  attended  at  the  seat  of  government 


30 


by  the  officers  of  state  and  the  representatives  of  every  Power 
in  Europe. 

"  These  visits  are  optional.  They  are  made  without  invita- 
tion. Between  the  hours  of  three  and  four  every  Tuesday, 
I  am  prepared  to  receive  them.  Gentlemen,  often  in  great 
numbers,  come  and  go,  chat  with  each  other,  and  act  as  they 
please.  A  porter  shows  them  into  the  room,  and  they  retire 
from  it  when  they  choose,  and  without  ceremony." — Vol.  V. 
p.  165. 


Such  was  the  practice  of  Judge  Marshall  in  re- 
gard to  omissions.  But  it  should  be  observed,  that 
the  writer's  train  of  thought,  as  to  the  points  in- 
tended to  be  presented  by  the  selections  from  any 
letter,  is  nowhere  interrupted.  The  parts  retained 
have  a  clear  connection.  It  would  have  added 
nothing  to  the  reader's  instruction,  if  he  had  been 
informed  at  certain  places,  by  a  mark  or  other- 
wise, that  passages  were  omitted.  He  might  have 
gained  more,  if  the  whole  letter  in  each  case,  in- 
stead of  parts,  had  been  printed ;  but,  as  this  was 
not  consistent  with  the  plan  of  the  work,  there 
seems  no  good  reason  why  he  should  be  told,  that 
other  parts  were  left  out,  which  were  irrelevant  to 
the  matter  in  hand. 

A  letter  frequently  treats  of  topics  totally  dis- 
tinct from  each  other,  and  in  this  respect  it  is  the 
same  as  a  collection  of  letters  written  upon  differ- 
ent subjects.  In  such  a  letter,  the  omission  of  one 
or  more  topics  has  no'  effect  upon  the  others,  and 


31 


is  the  same  in  reality  as  the  omission  of  a  sepa- 
rate letter,  which  has  no  bearing  upon  the  matter 
intended  to  be  represented.  When,  for  any  reason, 
the  train  of  the  writer's  ideas  is  suddenly  broken 
off,  or  his  meaning  obscured,  by  the  omission  of  a 
paragraph,  sentence,  or  phrase,  it  certainly  is  essen- 
tial that  the  fact  should  be  noted;  but  such  is  not 
the  case  in  any  of  the  above  selections,  and  prob- 
ably not  in  any  others  comprised  in  the  "Life  of 
Washington." 

The  following  selections  are  introduced  for  the 
purpose  of  a  comparison  between  Judge  Marshall's 
text  and  that  of  the  Letter-Books.  The  italics  in- 
dicate the  discrepances. 

JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT.  TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

LETTER  TO   CONGRESS. 

SEPT.  2d,  1776. 

"  Great  numbers  of  them  "  Great  numbers  of  them 
have  gone  off,  in  some  instan-  have  gone  off,  in  some  instan- 
ces almost  by  whole  regi-  ces  almost  by  whole  regi- 
ments, in  many  by  half  ones,  ments,  by  half  ones,  and  by 
and  by  companies  at  a  time,  companies  at  a  time.  This 
This  circumstance  of  itself,  circumstance  of  itself,  inde- 
independent  of  others,  when  pendent  of  others,  when  front- 
fronted  by  a  well-appointed  ed  by  a  well-appointed  ene- 
enemy,  superior  in  number  my,  superior  in  number  to  our 
to  our  whole  collected  force,  whole  collected  force,  would 
would  be  sufficiently  disagree-  be  sufficiently  disagreeable, 
able  ;  but  when  it  is  added  but  when  their  example  has 
that  their  example  has  in-  infected  another  part  of  the 


32 


.     JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

fected  another  part  of  the  ar- 
my; that  their  want  of  dis- 
cipline, and  refusal  of  almost 
every  kind  of  restraint  and 
government,  have  rendered  a 
like  conduct  but  too  common 
in  the  whole  ;  and  have  pro- 
duced an  entire  disregard  of 
that  order  and  subordination 
necessary  for  the  well-doing 
of  an  army,  and  which  had 
been  before  inculcated  as  well 
as  the  nature  of  our  military 
establishment  would  admit, 
our  condition  is  still  more 
alarming."  —  Vol.  II.  p.  455. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

army,  when  their  want  of 
discipline,  and  refusal  of  al- 
most every  kind  of  restraint 
and  government,  have  pro- 
duced a  like  conduct  but  too 
common  to  the  whole,  and  an 
entire  disregard  of  that  order 
and  subordination  necessary 
to  the  well-doing  of  an  army, 
and  which  had  been  inculcat- 
ed before,  as  well  as  the  na- 
ture of  our  military  establish- 
ment would  admit  of,  our 
condition  is  still  more  alarm- 
ing." 


LETTER  TO   CONGRESS. 


"  It  is  now  extremely  ob- 
vious from  their  movements, 
from  our  intelligence,  and 
from  every  other  circum- 
stance, that,  having  their 
whole  army  upon  Long  Isl- 
and, except  about  four  thou- 
sand men  who  remain  on  Sta- 
ten  Island,  they  mean  to  in- 
close us  in  this  island  by  tak- 
ing post  in  our  rear,  while 
their  ships  effectually  secure 
the  front ;  and  thus,  by  cut- 
ting off  our  communication 
with  the  country,  oblige  us 


SEPT.  8th,  1776. 

"  It  is  now  extremely  ob- 
vious, from  all  intelligence, 
from  their  movements  and 
every  other  circumstance,  that 
having  landed  their  whole  ar- 
my on  Long  Island  (except 
about  four  thousand  on  Sta- 
ten  Island)  they  mean  to  in- 
close us  on  the  Island  of  New 
York  by  taking  post  in  our 
rear,  while  the  shipping  ef- 
fectually secures  the  front,  and 
thus  either  by  cutting  off  our 
communication  with  the  coun- 
try, oblige  us  to  fight  them 


33 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

to  fight  them  on  their  own 
terms,  or  surrender  at  discre- 
tion ;  or,  if  that  shall  be 
deemed  more  advisable,  by  a 
brilliant  stroke  endeavor  to 
cut  this  army  to  pieces,  and 
secure  the  possession  of  arms 
and  stores,  which  they  well 
know  our  inability  to  replace. 
"  Having  their  system  un- 
folded to  us,  it  becomes  an 
important  consideration  how 
it  could  be  most  successfully 
opposed.  On  every  side  there 
is  a  choice  of  difficulties,  and 
experience  teaches  us,  that 
every  measure  on  our  part 
(however  painful  the  reflec- 
tion) must  be  taken  with  some 
apprehension,  that  all  the 
troops  will  not  do  their  duty." 
—  Vol.  II.  p.  466. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

on  their  own  terms,  or  sur- 
render at  discretion,  or  by  a 
brilliant  stroke  endeavor  to 
cut  this  army  in  pieces  and 
secure  the  collection  of  arms 
and  stores,  which  they  well 
know  we  shall  not  be  soon 
able  to  replace. 

"  Having  therefore  their 
system  unfolded  to  us,  it  be- 
came an  important  considera- 
tion how  it  could  be  most  suc- 
cessfully opposed.  On  every 
side  there  is  a  choice  of  diffi- 
culties, and  every  measure  on 
our  part  (however  painful  the 
reflection  is  from  experience") 
to  be  formed  with  some  ap- 
prehension, that  all  our  troops 
will  not  do  their  duty." 


LETTER   TO   GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

JONE  17,  1777. 

"  They  might  possibly  be  "  They  might  possibly  be 
successful,  but  the  probability  successful,  but  the  probability 
would  be  infinitely  against  would  be  infinitely  against 
them.  Should  they  be  im-  them.  Should  they  be  im- 
prudent enough  to  make  the  prudent  enough  to  do  it,  I 
attempt,  I  shall  keep  close  shall  keep  close  upon  their 
upon  their  heels,  and  will  do  heels,  and  do  every  thing  in 
every  thing  in  my  power  to  my  power  to  make  the  pro- 
make  the  project  fatal  to  them,  ject  fatal  to  them. 
5 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

"  But,  besides  the  argument 
in  favor  of  their  intending, 
in  the  first  place,  a  stroke  at 
this  army,  drawn  from  the 
policy  of  the  measure,  every 
appearance  contributes  to  con- 
firm the  opinion.  Had  their 
design  been  for  the  Delaware 
in  the  first  instance,  they 
would  probably  have  made  a 
secret,  rapid  march  for  it,  and 
not  nave  halted  so  as  to  awa- 
ken our  attention,  and  give  us 
time  to  prepare  for  obstruct- 
ing them.  Instead  of  that, 
they  have  only  advanced  to 
a  position  necessary  to  facili- 
tate an  attack  on  our  right, 
the  part  in  which  we  are  most 
exposed.  In  addition  to  this 
circumstance,  they  have  come 
out  as  light  as  possible,  leav- 
ing all  their  baggage,  provis- 
ions, boats,  and  bridges  at 
Brunswick.  This  plainly  con- 
tradicts the  idea  of  their  in- 
tending to  push  for  the  Dela- 
."  — Vol.  III.  p.  112. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

"  But,  besides  the  argument 
for  their  intending,  in  the  first 
place,  a  stroke  at  this  army, 
drawn  from  the  policy  of  the 
measure,  every  appearance  co- 
incides to  confirm  the  opinion. 
Had  they  designed  for  the 
Delaware  in  the  first  instance, 
they  would  probably  have 
made  a  secret,  rapid  march 
for  it,  and  not  halted,  as  they 
have  done,  to  awaken  our  at- 
tention, and  give  us  time  to 
prepare  for  obstructing  them. 
Instead  of  that,  they  have 
only  advanced  to  a  position 
necessary  to  facilitate  an  at- 
tack upon-  our  right,  which  is 
the  part  they  have  the  greatest 
likelihood  of  injuring  us  in; 
and  added  to  this  eonsidera- 
tion,  they  have  come  out  as 
light  as  possible,  leaving  all 
their  baggage,  provisions, 
boats,  and  bridges  at  Bruns* 
wick  ;  which  plainly  contra- 
dicts the  idea  for  pushing  for 
the  Delaware" 


LETTER  TO   GENERAL   SULLIVAN. 

SEPT.  1st,  1778. 

"  First  impressions,  you  "  First  impressions,  you 
know,  are  generally  longest  know,  are  generally  longest 
retained,  and  will  serve  to  fix,  remembered,  and  will  serve  to 


35 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

in  a  great  degree,  our  na- 
tional character  with  the 
French.  In  our  conduct  to- 
wards them,  we  should  re- 
member, that  they  are  a  peo- 
ple old  in  war,  very  strict  in 
military  etiquette,  and  apt  to 
take  fire  when  others  scarcely 
seem  warmed.  Permit  me  to 
recommend,  in  the  most  par- 
ticular manner,  the  cultivation 
of  harmony  and  good  agree- 
ment, and  your  endeavors  to 
destroy  that  ill  humor  which 
may  have  found  its  way  among 
the  officers.  It  is  of  the  ut- 
most importance,  too,  that  the 
soldiers  and  the  people  should 
know  nothing  of  this  misunder- 
standing, or,  if  it  has  reached 
them,  that  means  may  be 
used  to  stop  its  progress,  and 
prevent  its  effects."  —  Vol. 
III.  p.  517. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

fix,  in  a  great  degree,  our  na- 
tional character  among  the 
French.  In  our  conduct  to- 
wards them,  we  should  remem- 
ber, that  they  are  a  people 
old  in  war,  very  strict  in 
military  etiquette,  and  apt  to 
take  fire,  ivhere  others  scarce- 
ly seem  warmed.  Permit  me 
to  recommend,  in  the  most 
particular  manner,  the  culti- 
vation of  harmony  and  good 
agreement,  and  your  endeav- 
ors to  destroy  that  ill  humor 
which  may  have  got  into  the 
officers.  It  is  of  the  greatest 
importance,  also,  that  the  sol- 
diers and  the  people  should 
know  nothing  of  the  misunder- 
standing, or,  if  it  has  reached 
them,  that  ways  may  be 
used  to  stop  its  progress,  and 
prevent  its  effects." 


"  I  have  not  now  time  to 
take  notice  of  the  several  ar- 
guments which  were  made  use 


LETTER  TO   GENERAL   GRUEHE. 

SEPT.  1st,  1778. 

"  I  have  not  now  time  to 


take  notice  of  the  several  ar- 
guments that  were  made  use 


of,  for  and  against  the  Count's  of,  for  and  against  the  Count's 
quitting  the  harbor  of  New-  quitting  the  harbor  of  New- 
port, and  sailing  for  Boston,  port,  and  sailing  for  Boston. 
Right  or  wrong,  it  will  proba-  Right  or  wrong,  it  will  proba- 


36 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

bly  disappoint  our  sanguine 
expectations  of  success  ;  and, 
which  I  deem  a  still  worse  con- 
sequence, I  fear  it  will  sow 
the  seeds  of  dissension  and 
distrust  between  us  and  our 
new  allies,  unless  the  most 
prudent  measures  be  taken  to 
suppress  the  feuds  and  jeal- 
ousies that  have  already  aris- 
en. I  depend  much  on  your 
temper  and  influence  to  con- 
ciliate that  animosity,  which,  I 
plainly  perceive  by  a  letter 
from  the  Marquis,  subsists  be- 
tween the  American  and 
French  officers  in  our  service. 
This,  you  may  be  assured,  will 
extend  itself  to  the  Count, 
and  the  officers  and  men  of 
his  whole  fleet,  should  they  re- 
turn to  Rhode  Island,  unless 
a  reconciliation  shall  have  tak- 
en place.  The  Marquis  speaks 
kindly  of  a  letter  from  you  to 
him  on  this  subject.  He  will 
therefore  take  any  advice  from 
you  in  a  friendly  way  ;  and, 
if  he  can  be  pacified,  the  oth- 
er French  gentlemen  will  of 
course  be  satisfied,  since  they 
look  up  to  him  as  their  head." 
—  Vol.  III.  p.  518. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

bly  disappoint  our  sanguine 
expectations  of  success ;  and, 
what  I  esteem  a  still  worse  con- 
sequence, I  fear  it  will  sow 
the  seeds  of  dissension  and 
distrust  between  us  and  our 
new  allies,  except  the  most 
prudent  measures  are  taken 
to  suppress  the  feuds  and  jeal- 
ousies that  have  already  aris- 
en. I  depend  much  upon  your 
temper  and  influence  to  con- 
ciliate that  animosity,  which,  I 
plainly  perceive  by  a  letter 
from  the  Marquis,  subsists  be- 
tween the  American  officers 
and  the  French  in  our  service. 
This,  you  may  depend,  will 
extend  itself  to  the  Count, 
and  the  officers  and  men  of 
his  whole  fleet,  should  they  re- 
turn to  Rhode  Island  ;  except, 
upon  their  arrival  there,  they 
find  a  reconciliation  has  taken 
place.  The  Marquis  speaks 
kindly  of  a  letter  from  you  to 
him  upon  this  subject.  He 
will  therefore  take  any  advice 
coming  from  you  in  a  friendly 
light,  and,  if  he  can  be  paci- 
fied, the  other  French  gentle- 
men will  of  course  be  satisfied, 
as  they  look  up  to  him  as 
their  head." 


37 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 


LETTER  TO   JACOB   READ. 


Nov.  3d,  1784. 


"  If  either  of  these  happen, 
there  is  a  line  of  separation 
drawn  between  the  eastern  and 
western  country  at  once,  the 
consequences  of  which  may  be 
fatal.  To  tell  any  man  of  in- 

«/ 

formation  how  fast  the  latter 
is  settling,  how  much  more 
rapidly  it  will  settle  by  means 
of  foreign  emigrants  who  can 
have  no  particular  predilection 
for  us,  of  the  vast  fertility  of 
the  soil,  of  the  population  to 
which  the  country  is  competent, 
would  be  unnecessary ;  and 
equally  unnecessary  would  it 
be  to  observe,  that  it  is  by  the 
cement  of  interest  alone  we 
can  be  held  together.  If,  then, 
the  trade  of  that  country  should 
flow  through  the  Mississippi  or 
the  St.  Lawrence  ;  if  the  in- 
habitants thereof  should  form 
commercial  connections,  which 
we  know  lead  to  intercourses 
of  other  kinds,  they  would  in 
a  few  years  be  as  unconnected 
with  us,  as  are  those  of  /South 
America. 

"  It  may  be  asked,  How  are 
we  to  prevent  this  ?  Happily 
for  us,  the  way  is  plain.  Our 


"  If  either  of  these  happen, 
there  is  a  line  of  separation 
drawn  between  the  eastern  and 
western  country  at  once,  the 
consequences  of  which  may  be 
fatal.  To  tell  any  man  of  in- 
formation how  fast  the  latter 
is  settling,  how  much  more 
rapidly  it  will  settle  by  means 
of  foreign  emigrants  who  can 
have  no  particular  predilection 
for  us,  of  the  vast  fertility  of 
the  soil,  and  population  the 
country  is  competent  to,  would 
be  futile ;  and  equally  nuga- 
tory to  observe,  that  it  is  by 
the  cement  of  interest  alone  we 
can  be  held  together.  If,  then, 
the  trade  of  that  country  should 
flow  through  the  Mississippi  or 
St.  Lawrence ;  if  the  inhabit- 
ants thereof  should  form  com- 
mercial connections,which  lead, 
we  know,  to  intercourses  of  oth- 
er kinds,  they  would  in  a  few 
years  be  as  unconnected  with 
us,  indeed  more  so,  than  we 
are  with  /South  America,  and 
entirely  alienated  from  us. 

"  It  may  be  asked  how  we 
are  to  prevent  this.  Happily 
for  us,  the  way  is  plain,  and 


38 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

immediate  interests,  as  well 
as  remote  political  advantages, 
point  to  it ;  whilst  a  combina- 
tion of  circumstances  renders 
the  present  time  more  favora- 
ble than  any  other  to  accom- 
plish it.  Extend  the  inland 
navigation  of  the  eastern  wa- 
ters ;  communicate  them  as 
near  as  possible  with  those 
which  run  westward  ;  open 
these  to  the  Ohio;  open  also 
such  as  extend  from  the  Ohio 
towards  Lake  Erie  ;  and  we 
shall  not  only  draw  the  prod- 
uce of  the  western  settlers,  but 
the  peltry  and  fur  trade  of  the 
Lakes  also,  to  our  ports  ;  thus 
adding  an  immense  increase 
to  our  exports,  and  binding 
those  people  to  us  by  a  chain 
which  never  can  be  broken." 
—  Vol.  V.  p.  16. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

our  immediate  interests,  as 
well  as  remote  political  advan- 
tages, point  to  it ;  whilst  a  com- 
bination of  circumstances  ren- 
ders the  present  epocha  more 
favorable  than  any  other  to  ac- 
complish them.  Extend  the  in- 
land navigation  of  the  eastern 
waters  ;  communicate  them 
as  near  as  possible  with  those 
which  run  to  the  westward  ; 
open  these  to  the  Ohio ;  and 
such  others  as  extend  from  the 
Ohio  towards  Lake  Erie  ;  and 
we  shall  not  only  draw  the 
produce  of  the  western  settlers, 
but  the  peltry  and  fur  trade  of 
the  Lakes  also,  to  our  ports, 
being  the  nearest  and  best,  to 
the  amazing  increase  of  our 
exports,  while  we  bind  those 
people  to  us  by  a  chain  which 
never  can  be  broken." 


LETTER  TO  BENJAMIN  HARRISON. 


"  How  would  this  matter  be 
viewed  then  by  the  eye  of  the 
world,  and  what  opinion  would 
be  formed  when  it  comes  to 

be  related,  that  G W n 

exerted  himself  to  effect  this 

work,  and  that  G W n 

has  received  twenty  thousand 


JAN.  22d,  1785. 

"  How  would  this  matter  be 
viewed  then  by  the  eye  of  the 
world,  and  what  would  be  the 
opinion  of  it  when  it  comes  to 

be  related,  that  G W n 

exerted  himself  to  effect  this 
work,  and  G.  W.  has  received 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  and 


39 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

dollars  and  five  thousand 
pounds  sterling  of  the  public 
money  as  an  interest  therein  ? 
Would  not  this  (if  I  am  entitled 
to  any  merit  for  the  part  I 
have  performed,  and  without 
it  there  is  no  foundation  for 
the  act)  deprive  me  of  the 
principal  thing  which  is  lauda- 
ble in  my  conduct  ?  Would  it 
not  in  some  respects  be  con- 
sidered in  the  same  light  as  a 
pension  ?  And  would  not  the 
apprehension  of  this  induce  me 
to  offer  my  sentiments  in  fu- 
ture with  the  more  reluctance  ? 
In  a  word,  under  whatever 
pretence,  and  however  custom- 
ary these  gratuities  may  be  in 
other  countries,  should  I  not 
thenceforward  be  considered  as 
a  dependent?"— Vol. V. p. 21. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

five  thousand  pounds  sterling 
of  the  public  money  as  an  in- 
terest therein  ?  Would  not  this, 
in  the  estimation  of  it  (if  I  am 
entitled  to  any  merit  for  the 
part  I  have  acted;  and  without 
it  there  is  no  foundation  for 
the  act)  deprive  me  of  the 
principal  thing  which  is  lauda- 
ble in  my  conduct  ?  Would  it 
not  in  some  respects  be  con- 
sidered in  the  same  light  as  a 
pension  ?  And  W9uld  not  the 
apprehension  of  this  make  me 
more  reluctantly  offer  my  senti- 
ments in  future  ?  In  a  word, 
under  whatever  pretence,  and 
however  customary  these  gra- 
tuitous gifts  are  made  in  other 
countries,  should  I  not  thence- 
forward be  considered  as  a 
dependent  ?  " 


LETTER  TO  JOHN  JAY. 


"  But,  fortunately,  they  have 
precipitated  a  crisis  for  which 
they  were  not  prepared ;  and 
thereby  have  unfolded  views 
which  will,  I  trust,  effect  their 
annihilation  sooner  than  it 
might  have  happened.  An 
occasion  has  also  been  afforded 
for  the  people  of  this  country 


Nov.  1,  1794. 

"  But,  fortunately,  they  pre- 
cipitated a  crisis  for  which  they 
were  not  prepared ;  and  there- 
by have  unfolded  views  which 
will,  I  trust,  effectuate  their 
annihilation  sooner  than  it 
might  otherwise  have  happen- 
ed ;  at  the  same  time  that  it 
has  afforded  an  occasion  for 


40 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

to  show  their  abhorrence  of 
the  result,  and  their  attach- 
ment to  the  constitution  and 
the  laws ;  for  I  believe  that 
five  times  the  number  of  mili- 
tia, that  were  required,  would 
have  come  forward  in  support 
of  them,  had  it  been  neces- 
sary. 

"  The  spirit  which  blazed 
out  on  this  occasion,  as  soon 
as  the  object  was  fully  under- 
stood, and  the  lenient  meas- 
ures of  the  government  were 
made  known  to  the  people,  de- 
serves to  be  communicated. 
There  are  instances  of  general 
officers  going  at  the  head  of  a 
single  troop,  or  of  light  com- 
panies ;  of  field  officers,  when 
they  came  to  the  place  of  ren- 
dezvous and  found  no  com- 
mand for  them  in  that  grade, 
turning  into  the  ranks  and 
serving  as  private  soldiers  un- 
der their  own  captains ;  and 
of  numbers  possessing  the  first 
fortunes  in  the  country,  stand- 
ing in  the  ranks  as  private 
men,  and,  by  way  of  example 
to  others,  marching  day  by  day 
with  their  knapsacks  at  their 
backs,  and  sleeping  on  straw 
with  a  single  blanket,  in  a  sol- 
dier's tent,  during  the  frosty 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

the  people  of  this  country  to 
show  their  abhorrence  of  the 
result,  and  their  attachment  to 
the  constitution  and  the  laws  ; 
for  I  believe  that  five  times 
the  number  of  militia,  that  was 
required,  would  have  come 
forward,  if  it  had  been  neces- 
sary, in  support  of  them. 

"  The  spirit  which  blazed 
out  on  this  occasion,  as  soon 
as  the  object  was  fully  under- 
stood, and  the  lenient  meas- 
ures of  the  government  were 
made  known  to  the  people,  de- 
serves to  be  communicated ; 
for  there  are  instances  of  gen- 
eral officers  going  at  the  head 
of  a  single  troop,  and  of  light 
companies  ;  of  field  officers, 
when  they  came  to  the  place 
of  rendezvous  and  found  no 
command  for  them  in  that 
grade,  turning  into  the  ranks 
and  proceeding  as  private  sol- 
diers under  their  own  captains ; 
and  of  numbers  possessing  the 
first  fortunes  in  the  country, 
standing  in  the  ranks  as  pri- 
vate [men,  and  marching  day 
by  day  with  their  knapsacks 
and  haversacks  at  their  backs ; 
sleeping  on  straw  with  a  single 
blanket,  in  a  soldier's  tent, 
during  the  frosty  nights  which 


41 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

nights  which  we  have  had. 
Nay,  more ;  many  young  Qua- 
kers of  the  first  family,  char- 
acter, and  property,  not  dis- 
couraged by  the  elders,  have 
turned  into  the  ranks,  and  are 
marching  with  the  troops."  — 
Vol.  V.  p.  593. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

we  have  had,  by  way  of  exam- 
ple to  others.  Nay,  more  ; 
many  young  Quakers,  not  dis- 
couraged by  the  elders,  of  the 
first  families,  character,  and 
property,  having  turned  into 
the  ranks,  and  are  marching 
with  the  troops." 


LETTER  TO   ALEXANDER  HAMILTON.' 


"  But,  my  dear  Sir,  dark  as 
matters  appear  at  present,  and 
expedient  as  it  is  to  be  pre- 
pared for  the  worst  that  can 
happen,  (and  no  man  is  more 
disposed  to  this  measure  than 
I  am,)  I  cannot  make  up  my 
mind  yet  for  the  expectation 
of  open  war  ;  or,  in  other 
words,  for  a  formidable  inva- 
sion by  France.  I  cannot  be- 
lieve, although  I  think  her  ca- 
pable of  any  thing,  that  she 
will  attempt  to  do  more  than 
she  has  done.  When  she  per- 
ceives the  spirit  and  policy  of 
this  country  rising  into  resist- 
ance, and  that  she  has  falsely 
calculated  upon  support  from 
a  large  part  of  the  people  to 
promote  her  views  and  influ- 
ence in  it,  she  will  desist  even 
from  those  practices,  unless 
6 


MAY  27th,  1798. 

"  But,  my  dear  Sir,  dark  as 
matters  appear  at  present,  and 
expedient  as  it  is  to  be  pre- 
pared at  all  points  for  the 
worst  that  can  happen,  (and 
no  one  is  more  disposed  to  this 
measure  than  I  am,)  I  cannot 
make  up  my  mind  yet  for  the 
expectation  of  open  war  ;  or, 
in  other  words,  for  a  formida- 
ble invasion  by  France.  I 
cannot  believe,  although  I 
think  them  capable  of  any 
thing  lad,  that  they  will  at- 
tempt to  do  more  than  they 
have  done,  that  when  they  per- 
ceive the  spirit  and  policy  of 
this  country  rising  into  resist- 
ance, and  that  they  have  falsely 
calculated  upon  support  from 
a  large  part  of  the  people  there- 
of to  promote  their  views  and 
influence  in  it,  that  they  will 


42 


JUDGE  MARSHALL'S  TEXT. 

unexpected  events  in  Europe, 
or  the  acquisition  of  Louisi- 
ana and  the  Floridas,  should 
induce  her  to  continue  them. 
And  I  believe  further,  that 
although  the  leaders  of  their 
party  in  this  country  \vill  not 
change  their  sentiments,  they 
will  be  obliged  to  change  their 
plan,  or  the  mode  of  carrying 
it  on.  The  effervescence  which 
is  appearing  in  all  quarters, 
and  the  desertion  of  their  fol- 
lowers, mil  frown  them  into 
silence,  at  least  for  a  while." 
—  Vol.  V.  p.  747. 


TEXT  OF  THE  LETTER-BOOKS. 

desist  even  from  those  prac- 
tices, unless  unexpected  events 
in  Europe,  or  their  possession 
of  Louisiana  and  the  Floridas, 
should  induce  them  to  continue 
the  measure.  And  I  believe 
further,  that  although  the  lead- 
ers of  their  party  in  this  coun- 
try will  not  change  their  senti- 
ments, that  they  will  be  obliged 
nevertheless  to  change  their 
plan,  or  the  mode  of  carrying 
it  on,  from  the  effervescence 
which  is  appearing  in  all  quar- 
ters, and  from  the  desertion 
of  their  followers,  which  must 
frown  them  into  silence,  at 
least  for  a  while." 


If  Judge  Marshall  copied  from  the  Letter-Books, 
as  he  undoubtedly  did,  since  they  were  all  in  his 
charge  while  he  was  writing  the  "  Life  of  Wash- 
ington," it  is  seen  that  he  made  frequent  changes 
in  the  phraseology,  and  verbal  corrections  in  the 
style.  If  the  originals  were  in  his  possession,  and 
he  copied  from  them,  which  is  highly  improbable, 
the  comparison  of  the  two  texts  shows  the  differ- 
ences between  the  originals  and  the  Letter-Books. 
These  specimens  are  not  selected  as  being  peculiar. 
If  the  examination  were  continued,  it  would  be 
found  that  he  adopted  a  similar  practice  in  the 


other  parts  of  Washington's  letters,  which  he  in- 
corporated into  his  work.  The  extracts  are  inva- 
riably included  within  quotation  marks,  so  that 
the  reader  can  at  once  discover  where  they  occur, 
and  any  one  may  pursue  the  comparison  by  con- 
sulting the  Letter-Books. 

In  the  preceding  remarks,  it  has  not  been  my 
object  to  question  the  propriety  of  the  general  plan 
of  Mr.  Reed's  publication.  I  have  only  endeavored 
to  remove  what  I  could  not  but  feel  to  be  an 
erroneous  impression,  as  bearing  upon  myself,  con- 
veyed by  the  manner  in  which  some  parts  of  his 
performance  have  been  executed. 

CAMBRIDGE,  APRIL  20th,  1853. 


3  1205026553899 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


THE  L 
UNIVERSITY  O*  *"* 


AA    000  929  521    3 


